In Episode #19 of Navigating Amateur Motocross, Coach Robb and Derek Harris of HP Race Development break down the true purpose of the off-season and preseason, a period most riders misuse or overlook. They explain that these phases aren’t downtime; they are the foundation for future success, where athletes rebuild strength, correct deficiencies, and develop the aerobic and muscular systems that prevent burnout and fatigue-related diseases like Epstein-Barr. Through Complete Med Solutio...

Back by popular demand - Greg Hill Part 2! From BMX icon to business owner, Greg Hill joins Coach Robb for a raw and powerful conversation about humility, resilience, and rediscovering purpose beyond the spotlight. Greg reflects on his rise through the golden era of 1980s BMX: racing for GT, Robinson, GHP and defining what it meant to be a champion before there was a blueprint for success. Greg opens up about the pressure, the fame, and the illusion that came with seeing himself in magazines ...

Episode #16 dives into “fueling for health and performance” for vet riders: keep nutrition simple (shop the perimeter), fix the calorie gap first (use Garmin for burn + MyFitnessPal for intake), and remember that macronutrients (carbs/protein/fats) need micronutrients (vitamins/minerals from fruits/veggies) to power energy, immunity, and injury resistance. Extreme diets (keto, OMAD, etc.) may backfire—driving cravings, adrenal stress, and muscle loss—so aim for consistent, quality eating to p...

The discussion begins by addressing the emotional rollercoaster families face at Loretta Lynn’s—celebrating good results or questioning their place in the sport when outcomes fall short. Derek Harris emphasizes that parents often misplace frustration on mechanical issues rather than recognizing the rider’s challenges with new tracks and pressure. Coach Robb points out that expectations should be based on regional performance multipliers, and shifting goals mid-event erodes both confidence and...

Greg Hill’s journey in BMX began with childhood curiosity and family support but was shaped just as much by adversity as by talent. From balancing on his sisters’ Royce Union bikes to the chaos of his first race at ten years old, he was hooked immediately, thanks to his sister Tanya’s dedication to getting him to the track and his parents’ growing involvement in the sport. Growing up in a tough Santa Ana neighborhood, Greg learned early to stand up to bullies—a mindset that carried into racin...

In this episode of Meet the Guest - Next Chapter, Grant Langston recounts how motocross first entered his family’s life in South Africa. His father was inspired after watching On Any Sunday, which led to a shared passion that carried through to Grant’s own childhood. At just five years old, he begged to ride a friend’s bike and was instantly hooked. At 12, a devastating femur break nearly ended his career, but his stubborn drive brought him back stronger, leading to contracts and opportunitie...

Many vet athletes assume chronic exhaustion is just part of the process. Over time, they become so desensitized to fatigue that they see it as a badge of honor. But when recovery finally starts to happen—through better sleep, nutrition, or hydration—it can feel awkward or even wrong. This mindset is dangerous. True progress in performance stems from recovery, not just effort. A core takeaway for every athlete: stop equating “putting in work” with being perpetually exhausted. Train smart, not ...

In Episode #17 of Navigating Amateur Motocross, I sat down with Derek Harris from HP Race Development to unpack why so many riders experience bike failures and physical breakdowns at Loretta Lynn’s. From two-stroke top ends to four-stroke timing chain failures, we discussed how casual or generic maintenance schedules simply don’t hold up under national-level intensity. When riders overlook rebuild intervals or gamble on fuel storage methods, they often end up sidelined by issues that were 100...

Ronnie Tichenor motocross journey began with humble roots and an unshakable drive, shaped by a father who instilled the values of commitment, toughness, and follow-through. Growing up in a split household, Ronnie spent weekdays with his mother and weekends traveling the country to race with his father. By age 13, he moved in full-time with his dad to pursue racing, quickly rising through the amateur ranks to join Team Green and later Suzuki. At 16, he turned pro and won the East Coast 125 Sup...

Many riders mistakenly believe they have more time than they do to prepare for major races like Loretta Lynn’s, Mammoth, or World Vets. Time passes quickly, and the six months required to properly build a base of aerobic conditioning, strength, and endurance can slip by unnoticed. This episode emphasized the importance of reverse engineering your race season: start by identifying weaknesses from your last race, then plan training blocks to build aerobic durability, strength, and speed in the ...

In Episode #16, the discussion continues on the root causes and practical solutions to arm pump, especially as riders move into the summer heat and intense regional racing. Emphasis is placed on the symbiotic relationship between the rider and the motorcycle—both must be optimized independently and together to avoid muscular overload and performance breakdown. Suspension setup, proprioceptive balance, and physical conditioning all work in tandem to help riders handle stress from rough terrain...

Chris Cooksey’s journey from a promising amateur motocross racer to a respected, self-made journalist and media personality embodies resilience, reinvention, and raw honesty. At just 16, Chris suffered a devastating injury that ended his professional racing aspirations. The trauma of losing his identity as a rising racer led to significant emotional challenges, including resentment, reckless behavior, and long-term tension with his father. Despite the darkness, his passion for two wheels—whet...

In Episode 13 of The Vet Show, Coach Robb Beams welcomes back veteran rider and professional pilot James Jetmar to explore how data-driven tools and strategies help him train, recover, and compete at a high level despite a demanding travel schedule. The conversation dives into Jetmar’s use of Garmin technology—specifically the HRM Pro chest strap, sleep tracking, and daily weigh-ins—to monitor training load, stress, and recovery. Emphasizing the importance of balancing effort with recovery, C...

Coach Robb Beams and Derek Harris (HP Race Development) tackle one of the most misunderstood issues in racing performance: the root cause of arm pump. Too often, parents and riders default to blaming suspension setups or motor output, but as the discussion reveals, most of these issues stem from physiological deficiencies—specifically, inadequate strength, flexibility, and aerobic capacity. Mechanical upgrades are only effective if the rider’s body is equally prepared to handle the forces inv...

Steve Hatch’s story is a powerful example of humble beginnings, internal drive, and long-term elite performance in off-road racing. Starting with a $35 minibike and no racing background in his family, Steve worked his way from upstate New York through motocross and off-road circuits to become a factory rider for Suzuki and Kawasaki. A standout moment in his early career came when he placed unexpectedly high in a national enduro on bald tires and without a headlight, which launched him into th...

On this episode of The Vet Show, Coach Robb Beams and Toolman Dan dive deep into the real science behind sustainable weight loss, breaking away from the toxic myths perpetuated by the weight loss and fitness industries. They emphasize that starving yourself or chasing extreme workouts only creates metabolic stress and long-term problems like slowed metabolism and nutrient deficiencies. Instead, Coach Robb explains how documenting food intake, recognizing food sensitivities, and support...

In this episode of Navigating Amateur Motocross, Coach Robb and Derrek Harris sit down with Daniel Blair—former AMA Arenacross Champion, TV analyst, and founder of Supercross University—to break down the real roadmap from amateur to professional motocross. From 50cc to Futures, Daniel shares his expert insight on rider development, Supercross preparation, and why every athlete’s path should be unique and long-term focused. Whether you're chasing a spot at Loretta Lynn’s, eyeing Supercross Fu...

What Happened to Ian Trettel? | Overcoming a Traumatic Brain Injury & Life After Pro Motocross In this powerful episode of Meet the Guest on the Coach Robb Podcast Network, former pro motocross racer Ian Trettel shares his incredible journey from the top of the amateur racing world to surviving and recovering from a career-ending traumatic brain injury (TBI) at Daytona Supercross in 2011. Ian opens up about: ►His rise through the ranks, beating names like Eli Tomac, Jason Anderson, and ...

Episode 11 of The Vet Show focuses on three primary aspects of motocross race readiness: preparation, race evaluation, and recovery. These components are especially crucial for veteran riders, who often balance training with the demands of family, career, and limited time. ► Preparation: preparation is foundational for peak performance. However, it's important to understand that no fitness gains are made in the week leading up to a race. 1. Nutrition plays a significant role in prepar...

Building a champion isn’t a matter of raw talent alone—it takes deliberate effort, discipline, and meticulous planning over many months. Success on the track stems from refining every detail, from tuning engine performance with careful fuel testing to balancing the chassis and suspension. Teams plan their schedules around major events like Daytona and the Texas Nationals, often taking a strategic hiatus after races such as Loretta to recalibrate their motor packages and ensure that every comp...